GCC unified visa to be rolled out soon
Muscat: The unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be rolled out soon, according to a senior official from the United Arab Emirates.
'The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and is now awaiting implementation, hopefully soon. It is currently with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders, who will be reviewing it,' the UAE Minister was quoted as saying by local media.
Once implemented, the visa will enable access to all six GCC member states, simplifying travel procedures for tourists and residents alike. It is expected to reduce paperwork, facilitate smoother movement across borders, and enhance regional tourism, the reports said.
Oman's Minister of Heritage and Tourism had earlier informed the Majlis Ash'shura that implementation of the unified visa could take time due to security concerns and differing perspectives among GCC countries. He noted that discussions are ongoing, with specific reservations expressed regarding certain nationalities from unstable regions.
The unified visa was officially approved in 2023 as part of efforts to boost tourism in the region. It is aimed at making travel more convenient for non-GCC nationals residing in member countries, allowing them to explore the region without applying for multiple entry permits.
Tourists will be able to travel seamlessly across the GCC with a single visa, potentially reducing travel costs and enhancing the visitor experience.
According to the Statistical Centre for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-Stat), a total of 68.1 million international tourists visited GCC countries by the end of 2023. The Centre reported that the bloc has achieved 52.9 per cent of the first strategic objective under the joint tourism strategy (2023–2030), which targets 128.7 million tourist arrivals.
In terms of revenue, international tourism receipts in the GCC reached US$110.4 billion by the end of 2023 — a 28.2 per cent increase compared to 2019. This accounts for 58.7 per cent of the second strategic objective, which aims to raise international tourist spending to US$188 billion.
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